Rotary Snow Plowing

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The intent of this Special Notice is for informational purposes only. National Park Service (NPS), Intermountain Region (IMR), Cedar Brakes National Monument, intends to solicit a quote and enter into a contract with Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for a base year and four (4) 1- year option years, totaling 5 years, for snow plowing. The estimated value of the contract over a 5-year period of performance is not to exceed $156,000.00, if all options are exercised. The anticipated award date is the week of April 1, 2012. The statutory authority for this sole source procurement is FAR 13.106-1 (b). The NAICS code for this action is 926120. This requirement will be procured under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. NPS requires that all contractors doing business with the Acquisition Office must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), along with Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR along with ORCA. For additional information and to register in CCR and ORCA, please access the following websites: http://www.ccr.govl CCR, registration can be accessed for ORCA at https://orca.bpn.gov/search/publicsearch. To be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, the Government shall consider all responsible sources received within ten days of this posting. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. .If no written responses are received at least ten (10) days after the publication of this notice the purchase will be awarded without further notice. Please email Contract Specialist, Robin Anderson with responses or questions regarding this requirement at [email protected]. Scope of WorkSnow Removal at Cedar Breaks National Monument FY2012Revised 3.20.2012 Cedar Breaks National Monument is located at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. The park is in a remote section of southwestern Utah accessible only by narrow, winding mountain roads. The Cedar Breaks scenic drive closes to vehicular traffic during the winter months (typically December thru April) to allow for winter recreation activities which include snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. These activities take place along the unplowed road surface of state highway 148, also known as the Cedar Breaks scenic drive. During a typical winter, snow depths at the Monument exceed ten feet of snow, with drifting in some areas across the road exceeding 20 feet deep. In order to open the road to vehicular traffic for the summer season, snow must be removed from the road using rotary snow blower(s) that is capable of removing and throwing removed snow at least twenty feet from the roadways and parking areas described below. During unusually big snow accumulation years "snow cat equipment" (which has a very large front mounted bulldozer like blade and tracks that can efficiently move a large amount of snow) may also be required to bring snow depths down to a level where a rotary plow can take one "bite" of snow to work most efficiently. This scope of work includes removing snow from fog line to fog line (both travel lanes) using large rotary snow blower equipment along the approximately five miles of state highway 148 within the boundary of Cedar Breaks National Monument.This scope of work also includes removing snow as directed by the National Park Service, Cedar Breaks NM Facility Manager which includes removing snow to the extent possible at the Point Supreme parking area and Point Supreme overlook, the Sunset Point turnout, the Chessman Ridge access road and parking area, the Alpine Pond access road and parking area, along the access service road to the NPS maintenance area, the housing area and VIP loop, the Pt. Supreme campground loop, and the Cedar Breaks ranger station parking area and Caretaker cabin access road. The Cedar Breaks Facility Manager will provide onsite staff to provide direction, guidance and approval of the work. Snow conditions, depths and consistency will vary from year to year and the amount of snow able to be removed in some areas will vary based upon these conditions, and the equipment used by the Utah Department of Transportation. The Facility Manger will make the final on site decisions as to when the amount of snow removed in specific areas adequately meets the intent of this scope of work. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITIONSnow Removal CEBR(3/16/2012) 1. AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Cedar Breaks National Monument 2. NATURE OF ACTION:Requesting approval to use other than full and open competition procedures for: Snow removal using a rotary snow and when needed in very deep snow conditions a snow cat to remove snow on approx.5 miles of roadway on State Route 148 within the boundaries of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Secondary to removing snow along the scenic drive , snow will also be removed on scenic drive pullouts and parking areas, and other in park access routes as described later in this document. The work will be accomplished by providing at least one, heavy equipment grade, rotary snow blower(s) and snow cat(s) when needed during heavy snow winters. This equipment is typical of the type used to clear other state highways for safe vehicular use. This includes providing qualified operator(s) fuel and transportation to accomplish the work described below. Depending upon the depth of snow on the Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive (aka State Route 148) "snowcat" equipment may be required to be utilized to remove enough of the snow at the major snow drifts and along the unplowed road surface to allow the Utah Dept of Transportation (UDOT) rotary snowplow to be able to efficiently and safely remove the remaining snow from along the park road and NPs facility access routes. A snowcat has very large front mounted bulldozer like blade and tracks that can efficiently move a large amount of snow. Under this contract, the NPS COR will work with the local UDOT crew manager to evaluate the snow depths along the entire road covered under this contract and determine if a snowcat work will be required to remove snow to the depth needed for rotary plow work to begin. UDOT is equipped to handle both types of snow removal required by the NPS. UDOT is reimbursed for the actual costs for services rendered with no additional profit sought. Invoices will reflect only the actual charges incurred for equipment , operator, fuel and any legitimate transportation costs. UDOT is the only entity that can provide these snow removal services which include both the snow cat and rotary plows. 3. DESCRIPTION:Cedar Breaks National Monument is located at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. The park is in a remote section of southwestern Utah accessible only by narrow, winding mountain roads. The Cedar Breaks scenic drive closes to vehicular traffic during the winter months (typically December thru April) to allow for winter recreation activities Which includesnowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. These activities take place along the unplowed road surface of state highway 148, also known as the Cedar Breaks scenic drive. During a typical winter, snow depths at the Monument exceed ten feet of snow, with drifting in some areas across the road exceeding 20 feet deep. In order to open the road to vehicular traffic for the summer season, snow must be removed from the road using rotary snow blower(s) that is capable of removing and throwing removed snow at least twenty feet from the roadways and parking areas described below. During unusually big snow accumulation years a snow cat will also be used to bring snow depths down to a level where a rotary plow can take one "bite" of snow to work most efficiently. The scope of work includes removing snow from fog line to fog line (both travel lanes) using large rotary snow blower equipment along the approximately five miles of state hwy 148 within the boundary of Cedar Breaks National Monument.Within the park boundary, the work also includes removing snow to the extent possible at the Point Supreme parking area and Point Supreme overlook, the Sunset Point turnout, the Chessman Ridge access road and parking area, the Alpine Pond access road and parking area. This work also includes removing snow as directed by the National Park Service, Cedar Breaks NM Facility Manager along the access service road to the NPS maintenance area, the housing area and VIP loop, the Pt. Supreme campground loop, and the Cedar Breaks ranger station parking area and Caretaker cabin access road.Estimated value is $15,000.00 to $30,000.00 4. AUTHORITY: 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1) as stated in FAR 6.302-1Only one responsible source, Utah Department of Transportation, and no other vendor will satisfy agency requirements. 5. PROPOSED CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS (FAR 6303-2(a) (5)): The Utah Dept of Transportation (UDOT) staffs and maintains a remote high elevation road maintenance facility which is located less than 3 miles from the park's southern boundary. UDOT routinely uses this facility as a home base and utilizes large rotary snow removal equipment to remove deep snow from other roads in the Cedar Mountain area throughout the winter months. They are the only source to provide this type of service to get the parks road open using the required type of equipment and experienced and certified operators who are also knowledgeable about the parks winding and narrow road. .Only UDOT crews or in certain circumstances operators certified by UDOT can legally maintain these State highway routes,In order to meet the park's typical Memorial Day opening for the summer visitor use season, the park maintenance staff must be able to access the monument's buildings and facilities, water system etc at least three weeks prior to opening day. This allows time to clear snow around buildings, disinfect and recharge water systems, bring housing units back on line and a host of other needs. If the main road is not plowed in a timely manner, the park would be unable to open for visitors. In addition, the park also hires seasonal employees and completes hiring paperwork by early April. Many of these employees live on site at the Monument in park housing due to the remote location and long distances to developed communities where rental housing would be available. Many of these seasonal employees live in other states, and the housing rented at the park is the only housing option available to them. If the Monument facilities are not available for them to use, temporary, short term housing would need to be secured by the park which would be impossible to secure on such short notice. 6. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS PRACTICABLE (FAR 6.303-2 (a) (6)): This requirement could not be solicited to any other vendors. UDOT is the legal entity and sole source provider. Only UDOT crews or in certain circumstances operators certified by UDOT can legally maintain these State highway routes, including the portions of highway which connect on both the south and north boundaries to the NPS scenic drive. This is critical to perform these tasks without damage to the road. No other vendor is available to solicit for snow removal using a rotary plow and as stated above. A notice of intent to award sole source will be publicized as required by FAR 5.201. 7. ANTICIPATED COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT/ FAIR AND REASONABLENESS (FAR 6.303-2(a) (7)): The complete purchase totals not to exceed $30,000 from Utah Department of Transportation. A separate determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. 8. MARKET RESEARCH (FAR 6.303-2(2)(8)): Extensive research was accomplished which no other feasible sources were found. The Utah Department of Transportation was found to be the exclusive source for the requirement. 9. OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION (FAR 6.303-2(a)(9)): The Utah Department of Transportation is the only available source for this requirement. As stated above, Only UDOT crews or in certain circumstances operators certified by UDOT can legally maintain these State highway routes,ay and they stated that they were unaware of any other agency that operated large enough equipment to handle the heavy snows that fall at such a high elevation. Note that Hwy 148, the Monument's "scenic drive", is signed on the road and on state maps as a state highway. Due to the heavy snowfall, a large rotary type plow is the only piece of equipment that can safely and completely clear the roadway of snow. The sections of road which connect at the northern and southern boundaries of Cedar Breaks must be cleared by UDOT crews prior to snow blowing the five miles of scenic drive. The same situation exists on the north end of the park where the park road connects to many miles of UDOT maintained state highway. No other entity has large enough equipment and operators within a reasonable commuting area, nor have the intrinsic knowledge of what it takes to remove snow along this road. Snowcat equipment as earlier described may also be needed if determined necessary by the NPS and UDOT to knock down the very high drifts that cross the road. In big snow years drifts can exceed 20 to 30 feet in depth. But this type of equipment alone is not capable of completely clearing the road of snow due to the caterpillar like tracks they use which would damage the road. In addition, snowcats push the snow with a large blade, and would quickly run out of room to store the snow they remove from the highway. The rotary plow throws the snow twenty to thirty feet, like a snow blower you'd use at home but much bigger. This effectively cuts a path through the snow and makes safe vehicular travel possible once high elevation dries out the asphalt roadway 10. ACTION, IF ANY, BEING TAKEN TO REMOVE AND OVERCOME BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE ANY SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED (FAR 6.303-2(a)(11)): Additional market research and sources sought will be conducted if subsequent acquisitions for supplies or services are required. 11. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION (FAR 6.303- 2(b)): I hereby certify that this justification and approval for other than full and open competition is made in good faith, that the supporting data and information are accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief, and that I would not be making this request if it were feasible to fully compete this requirement. I further certify that this request is not the result of lack of advanced planning or a desire to expend funds while those funds are still available.